After parents at Aboyne Primary School in Aberdeenshire received a link from Tempest Photography asking if they wanted their child’s class photo to include or exclude pupils with additional support needs, the company has issued an apology. Despite taking photographs including all pupils, it is understood that some images were taken beforehand when these children were not present. A spokesperson for Tempest, which provides photography services to schools across the UK, has said that the choice offered to parents was “not standard procedure” and that the firm takes the matter “very seriously”. Both the photography company and Aberdeenshire Council apologised for the incident.
Katie Price, model and TV personality, whose son Harvey has Prader-Willi syndrome, autism, and partial blindness, expressed her sadness regarding parents of children with additional needs being offered the choice. Harvey has frequently been the target of abuse and jokes. Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle received around 500 complaints in 2011 for jokes he made about Harvey on his Channel 4 programme Tramadol Nights when Harvey was eight years old. Price spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour about the issue, expressing her view that all children should be treated equally and not pre-judged.
Following the incident, Aberdeenshire Council called it “completely unacceptable”, saying it had raised the matter with Tempest and immediately removed links to the photos. In a statement, Tempest said it had spoken to the photographer involved and was committed to implementing “meaningful changes” to prevent such an occurrence in the future. The company added that it was a family-run business and that this was not standard procedure. The firm also apologised for any distress caused to the parents and the children involved.
Aboyne Primary School prides itself on being inclusive, and it is essential to ensure that all pupils feel involved and engaged in their learning and school experiences. With the removal of links to the photographs, hopefully, the school can move forward and continue to give pupils the inclusive education they deserve. It remains to be seen what, if any, action will be taken against Tempest after its apology
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